Support systems and components for same

ABSTRACT

Support systems for supporting useful articles such as shelves, racks, bars or hooks include a support structure that can be attached to the article. The support structure defines a shaped channel, and an insert component of the system is receivable within the channel and has an exterior surface shaped to correspond to the shaped channel. The shaped channel can define one or multiple grooves, and the insert component can have one or multiple ribs that cooperate with the grooves to stabilize the insert component/support structure combination. The insert component can include at least one displaceable rib element for cooperating with a groove of the support structure.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/898,538 filed Jan. 31, 2007 entitled SUPPORTSYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS USEFUL FOR HOOK AND/OR SHELVING ARRANGEMENTS,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retailers and product manufacturers are in the business of sellingproducts, and to stay competitive, they must continually consider howproducts are perceived by customers. Although product fixtures by theirvery function typically serve a supporting role, they are an importantcomponent in creating customer perception. One function of productdisplay fixtures is to facilitate profitability by enhancing productswhile maximizing use of retail space. While retailers of lower endproducts may focus more on the retail space aspect and higher endretailers focus more on enhancing the imaging of products and the retailstore, both types of retailers use product fixtures to increase sales.

A poorly designed, manufactured, installed or maintained fixture candestroy an otherwise positive product image. A product fixture shouldfocus attention on the product and never call attention to itself bywobbling or impeding access to the product. Such problems arefrustrating to shoppers who may then unconsciously associate poorquality with the product or the store.

Certain products are best displayed with faceout or waterfall displays.Such displays allow product, such as garments, to be stored anddisplayed in an optimal way for highlighting the product and ensuringthat sufficient stock is ready and available for selection and purchase.Faceout and waterfall display brackets can be mounted on freestandingfixtures or wall standards.

Freestanding fixtures provide flexibility because they can be movedaround the store, however they present an additional stability problem.Such displays can wobble. The problem is magnified with the use offaceout and waterfall accessories, which can increase the wobble factor.The instability of some chrome fixtures is a safety issue and alsodetracts from the customer's shopping experience; both of which cannegatively affect profitability.

Wall standards are typically elongated chrome structures having numerousslots for attachment of brackets for display devices, such as shelves,hooks, faceouts and waterfall displays. One advantage of the use of wallstandards is that the display devices can be placed at various levels asproducts and stock changes. Wall standards also provide some stabilityif installed properly. Unfortunately, the stability provided by priorart wall mounts has been limited by the security of the engagement ofthe slot to the attachment members provided on the display members.

In addition to stability issues, typical slot walls, whether of metal orwood, require a great deal of labor to manufacture. It would bepreferable to bore holes, however it has been difficult to create asingle piece fixture that can be readily engaged and disengaged with abored opening. Pegs created for round holes freely rotate and cannotsupport a cantilever bracket of any length. Moreover, the typical chromedisplays do not tend to enhance the image of products and stores. Manyhigh-end retailers and manufacturers continue to seek product displaysthat support and enhance the desired image.

One solution to the need for attractive image-enhancing fixtures thatare economical and versatile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,656 andits continuation, U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,984. The '656 patent issued onAug. 3, 2004 to Botkin, et al. The '984 patent issued on May 30, 2006 toBotkin. While the '656 and '984 patents disclose and claim designfixtures with positive image qualities that are functional, stable,versatile, and space-efficient, there remains the opportunity for othertypes and styles of design fixtures with many of these samecharacteristics. Disclosed herein is an example of such other types andstyles of design fixtures.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, provided is a system for the presentation or storageof articles comprising an elongated support rail defining a shapedchannel, the elongated support rail being constructed and arranged forsecure connection to a support structure, at least one insert componentdefining an interior opening, the at least one insert component having ashaped exterior corresponding to a portion of the shaped channel, atleast one shelf support member including a securement portionconstructed and arranged for receipt by the internal opening of acorresponding insert component and a shelf attached to the at least oneshelf support member.

In other embodiments, provided are support systems or apparatusesincluding at least one support structure, such as a rail or receiver,defining a shaped channel The systems include one or multiple insertcomponents having a shaped exterior corresponding to a portion of theshaped channel. The support systems can be attached to and used tosupport a broad variety of utilitarian structures such as shelves,cabinets, drawers, hangbars, racks, and the like.

In other embodiments, provided are components for support systems asdiscussed herein, including inventive rails, receivers, and insertcomponents, as well as their combination with other parts of thedescribed systems.

In other embodiments, provided are methods for supporting utilitarianarticles using support systems as described herein, and methods formaking support systems as described herein.

Additional embodiments as well as features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the descriptions herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display system according to a typicalembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an extruded rail comprising one portionof the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the FIG. 5 rail.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a left shelf arm comprising one portionof the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a right shelf arm comprising oneportion of the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 8A is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7A left shelf arm.

FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7B right shelf arm.

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the FIG. 7A left shelf arm.

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the FIG. 7B right shelf arm.

FIG. 10A is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 7A left shelf arm.

FIG. 10B is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 7B right shelf arm.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a rail hook comprising one portionof the FIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 rail hook.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 rail hook.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a puck comprising one portion of theFIG. 1 display system.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIG. 14 puck.

FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the FIG. 14 puck.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the FIG. 14 puck.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an endplate comprising one portion ofthe FIG. 1 display system.

FIGS. 19-22 depict components of a modified puck insert component of andfor use in systems of the invention.

FIGS. 23-26 depict a receiver unit of and for use in support systems ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the disclosure,reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in thedrawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of thedisclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device and is use, and such furtherapplications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated thereinbeing contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art towhich the disclosure relates.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a display fixture 20 thatis more fully described as a display hooks and shelving system withcantilevered supports. Display fixture 20 includes n extruded rail 21, apair of spaced-apart shelf arms 22, a plurality of hooks 23 that can bespaced apart as desired, and a display shelf 24. Endplates 25 areattached to rail 21 at each end of rail 21 by the use of threadedfasteners. The rail 21 is constructed and arranged to receive the pairof shelf arms 22 and to receive the plurality of hooks 23 by the use ofplug-like, insert components referred to herein as pucks 26, see FIGS.14-17. The details of extruded rail 21 are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.The details of the shelf arms 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-10B. Aswill be described there is a left shelf arm 22 a and a right shelf arm22 b. However, the majority of their construction is identical and themore generic use of reference number 22 is intended to mean both oreither 22 a and/or 22 b. The details of display hooks 23 are illustratedin FIGS. 11-13. The endplate 25 is illustrated in FIG. 18.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, display fixture 20 is constructedand arranged to be mounted to the exposed surface 30 of a supportstructure 31 that is preferably a substantially flat and substantiallyvertical structure, such as a room partition or a wall of a room orstore, for example. While this represents the preferred construction andarrangement for support structure 31, it will be understood from thedisclosure that the extruded rail 21 can be mounted to virtually anytype of structure regardless of its shape, surface configuration ororientation. The preferred method of mounting display fixture 20 tostructure 31 is by the use of threaded fasteners (not shown) that maycooperate with wall anchors (not shown) or may engage directly supportstructure 31. It is important that the selected structure 31 be ofsufficient strength and rigidity to support not only the weight ofdisplay fixture 20, but also the weight of the articles to be placed ondisplay shelf 24 and/or the articles to be hung on display hooks 23.Since the number and weight of these articles will change during thelife cycle of display fixture 20, it is important to design the methodof mounting and to select or design or construct an appropriatestructure 31 with a sufficient safety factor in terms of its weightsupporting capability to handle a worst-case condition. The extrudedrail 21 includes a longitudinal centerline 21 a that is substantiallyhorizontal in the preferred mounting configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The extruded rail 21 includes a specifically shaped interior channel 32(blind) that is constructed and arranged to receive the insertion end ofeach shelf arm 22 and the insertion end of each hook 23, once thesecomponents have been properly assembled and fitted with a cooperatingpuck 26. As will be described herein in greater detail, the insertionend of each shelf arm and the insertion end of each display hookincludes a securely attached puck 26. Since these insertion ends ofthese display components can be inserted into the shaped channel 32 atany location along the length of the channel, the spacing between thedisplay hooks 23 is a design variable selected by the user or installer.Further, since the hooks 23 are individual components, their location inthe channel 32 is not only up to the initial installer or user, but canalso be changed during their life as the display of different articlesmight dictate. For example, hanging or displaying larger outer garmentsmight require greater space between adjacent display hooks. As for theshelf arms 22, their spacing depends on where they are attached to shelf24. Once attached to shelf 24, these two shelf arms 22 operate orfunction as a single unit. However, this unit can still be moved (as aunit) along the length of the shaped channel 32 to a desired location.This desired location can also be changed as the selection of particulararticles may change. The spacing between the pair of shelf arms 22remains fixed due to their fixed attachment to shelf 24. There is norequired or fixed spacing between the display hooks 23 and the shelfarms 22, and thus there is some versatility and flexibility in how thedisplay hooks are arranged between themselves and how they are arrangedrelative to the two shelf arms 22. One representative spacing of displayhooks 23 and shelf arms 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The relativepositioning of hooks 23, arms 22, and shelf 24 relative to exposedsurface 30 is illustrated in FIG. 3. It is also an option to remove oneor more of the hooks 23 from rail 21 and/or remove the display shelf 24and shelf arms 22 assembly from rail 21. The assembly of the twoendplates 25 to the ends of rail 21 prevents the hooks 23 and the shelfarms 22 from sliding out of the shaped channel 32 when being moved alongthe length of channel 32. This use of the two endplates 25 is inaddition to their use for the aesthetic appearance.

While the construction and assembly of the components parts that createthe display fixture 20 of FIG. 1 is not affected by the manner ofmounting or attaching the extruded rail 21 to the support structure 31,it is most likely that rail 21 will be attached to the support structure31 with a substantially horizontal orientation and this is illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, each puck 26 has an axial centerline 26 athat is centered through the interior openings 82, 95 and 95, see FIGS.14-17. Centerline 26 a is perpendicular to centerline 21 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, extruded rail 21 has a generallyrectangular shape in lateral cross section. Upper surface 35 isgenerally rectangular, substantially flat, and substantially parallel tolower surface 36 which is also generally rectangular in shape andsubstantially flat. The rear surface is substantially flat and includesthree rear surface portions 37, 38, and 39 that define the openings tointerior channels 40 and 41. The substantially flat front surfaceincludes front surface portions 42 and 43 that define the opening forshaped channel 32. The upper interior corners 40 a and 40 b of channel40 are constructed and arranged as cylindrical forms for receiving thethreaded fasteners 44 that are used to attach endplates 25 to theexposed ends of the extruded rail 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). A similarconstruction exists for the lower interior corners 41 a and 4 ab ofchannel 41. These cylindrical forms are used to complete the attachmentof endplates 25. The four-clearance hole pattern in each endplate 25dimensionally corresponds to the spacing and pattern of the fourinterior corner cylindrical forms 40 a, 40 b, 41 a, and 41 b. Therectangular shape and size of each endplate 25 corresponds to thelateral cross section (rectangular) shape and size of extruded rail 21.The effect of this sizing and shaping is to provide a clean and neatfinished appearance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, without any noticeableoffset edges or gaps between endplate 25 and the periphery of rail 21,as viewed from either end of rail 21.

The remainder of the shaping of each channel 40 and 41 accomplishesanother beneficial result. By reducing the amount of material of rail21, the weight of the rail is reduced, thereby contributing to theefficient and effective design of rail 21. Shaped channel 32 includes anupper, inner corner trough 48 with a substantially square lateral crosssection and a lower, outer groove 49. The other surfaces of the extrudedand shaped channel 32 include horizontal upper surface 50, inclinedsurface 51, flat rear wall portion 52, and curved interior surface 53.Trough 48 and groove 49 receive portions of each puck 26. The interfitof portions of puck 26 within trough 48 and within groove 49 help tostabilize the installed display structures such as display hooks 23 andshelf arms 22 against lateral forces due to side impact. Forces thatmight tend to deflect the display structures moving centerline 26 a offof its perpendicular relationship to centerline 21 a are resisted by thedescribed interfit of the puck 26 portions into trough 48 and groove 49of channel 32. Straight vertical pull out of a puck 26 from withinchannel 32 is prevented, in part, by the interfit of a puck 26 rib intotrough 48 and in part by the dimensional sizes. Removal, like insertion,involves a pivoting movement of the puck 26 relative to the shapedinterior form of channel 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-10B, the shelf arms 22 are illustrated. Theleft shelf arm 22 a is illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A. Theright shelf arm 22 b is illustrated in FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B. Sincethese two constructions are virtually identical, except for theleft-right change to the bent angle support, only the left shelf arm isbeing described in detail. Thereafter, the generic reference to shelfarm 22 will continue to be used with the understanding that it appliesto and denotes 22 a and 22 b. Shelf arm 22 a includes a right angle tube56, a back plate 57, an internally-threaded square nut 58, and a bentangle support 59. The axis line 60 of square nut 58 coincides with thelongitudinal axis 61 of portion 56 a and these axis lines aresubstantially parallel to the substantially flat, upper surface 62 ofsupport 59. Portion 56 b is substantially perpendicular to portion 56 aand intersects support 59 at its longitudinal center up against sidepanel 63. The side panel 63 is formed at a substantially right anglerelative to upper surface 62 and this construction adds support andrigidity to support 59. Axis lines 60 and 61 are coaxial with puck 26centerline 26 a.

Support 59 defines two clearance holes 64 that can be used for thedrilling of pilot holes into display shelf 24 for securely attachingshelf arms 22 to display shelf 24. Holes 64 are countersunk from theunderside surface of support 59. The attachment of support 59 to displayshelf 24 is achieved by the use of threaded fasteners, preferably flathead screws. The upper surface 62 lays flush up against the underside ofdisplay shelf 24 and the flat head screws fit flush into the countersunkrecesses.

Back plate 57 has a rear surface 67 that is substantially flat andsymmetrically surrounds the square nut 58. As will be described, thesquare nut 58 cooperates with a threaded fastener in order to attach apuck 26 to each square not 58. This is the construction for both shelfarms 22 (i.e., 22 a and 22 b) as well as for each display hook 23.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, a representative display hook 23 isillustrated, though it should be understood that the specific hookshape, as well as its size, are optional characteristics. What is mostimportant is the standardizing of the back plate 68 and square nut 69.These two portions have a size, shape, and overall construction that isvirtually identical to back plate 57 and square nut 58 as illustratedand used with each shelf arm 22. This virtually identical constructionmeans that the same puck 26 construction is compatible. So long as thesame construction for a back plate and a square nut is used, a puck 26can be properly and securely attached. With a puck 26 properly andsecurely attached, whatever the remainder of the form might be for thedisplay component, whether a shelf arm, a hook or something else, it ispossible to properly and securely insert the puck 26 into the shapedchannel 32 with the desired fit and preferred method of connection. Thismeans that virtually any type of display or support structure can beinserted into the extruded rail 21 so long as the “standardized” puck 26is properly attached, which in turn suggests the use of a back plate anda square nut as the preferred construction.

Hook 23 includes a flat form shaped into an upper prong 72, lower lip73, rear wall 74, and curved section 75. As noted, the particular size,shape, and styling of hook 23 are variables, considering that itsprimary purpose is to display articles. Consequently, depending onwhether those articles are going to be supported by hangers or someother type of presentation device, that will influence the particularstyling of the hooks 23. The back plate 68 is integral with the outersurface of rear wall 74. The included angle between prong 72 and rearwall 74 is approximately 120 degrees. The included angle between lowerlip 73 and rear wall 74 is approximately 60 degrees. In terms ofrelative sizes for illustrative purposes only, upper prong 72 is between2.5 and 3.0 inches in length and approximately 0.87 inches in width.Lower lip 73 is approximately 1.2 inches in length and 0.87 inches inwidth. Rear wall 74 is approximately 1.2 inches in height and 0.87inches in width.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, the “standard” puck 26 for compatibleinsertion into shape channel 32 includes a specific contoured shape thatfacilitates the preferred manner of assembly and use. Puck 26 includes aforward face 78 with a substantially flat upper portion 79 and a lowercurved portion 80 that flattens out into portion 80 a. A substantiallyflat rear face 81 has a substantially square shape symmetricallysurrounding a square-shaped opening 82. Sides 83 and 84 aresubstantially flat and parallel to each other. The upper surface 85includes a substantially flat portion 86 and an inclined portion 87.Rear face 81 is substantially perpendicular to sides 83 and 84 andportion 86 and is substantially parallel with upper portion 79. Providedas part of portion 80 a is a depending rib 88 which is rounded andangled toward rear face 81 with a curved free end 89. Provided at theedge junction between upper portion 79 and inclined portion 87 is araised rib 90. Rib 90 is substantially square in lateral cross sectionand rectangular in longitudinal cross section.

Square-shaped opening 82 is in communication with larger cylindricalopening 94 via smaller cylindrical opening 95. These three openings arecoaxially centered on puck centerline 26 a. Opening 82 is constructedand arranged to receive the square nut 58 of whatever accessorycomponent (display component) is being selected for insertion intoshaped channel 32 of rail 21. The square nut 58 is sized for a closefit, but still within some slight clearance. These cooperating squareshapes prevent any rotation of the accessory component within the puck26. The square nut is internally-threaded for a ¼-20 thread and aheaded, ¼-20 fastener (not shown) is used to complete and secure thepuck 26 and square nut 58 connection. Opening 94 accepts the larger headof the threaded fastener, while opening 95 accepts the threaded body.With the threaded fastener fully tightened in place, the rear face 81 ispulled tightly up against back plate 57. The puck 26 and square nut 58now function as an integral unit.

Puck 26 and shaped channel 32 are compatibly sized and shaped for aclose interfit of puck 26 into channel 32. Direct horizontal insertionof puck 26 into channel 32 is not possible due to the projected verticalsize of the channel opening relative to the overall vertical height ofpuck 26 from rib 88 to the top of rib 90. For example, this overallheight of puck 26 is approximately 1.23 inches while the vertical heightof the channel 32 opening is approximately 0.99 inches. Instead, properinsertion is achieved by pivoting the puck 26 in a counter clockwisedirection based on the FIG. 6 orientation, assuming that rail 21 isaligned on both horizontal and vertical geometric planes. This pivotingmotion lowers rib 90 below upper surface 50 and allows the rib 90 to beinserted into the shaped channel 32. Thereafter, the puck 26 is pivotedin a clockwise direction (still based on the FIG. 6 orientation) as thepuck is pushed deeper into the shaped channel 32. Completed insertion(i.e., assembly) of the puck 26 positions rib 90 in trough 48 andpositions rib 88 in groove 49. All other surfaces of puck 26 and channel32 have a similar shape and close size conformance, as well as closepositioning. For example, puck 26 measures approximately 0.969 inchesfrom surface 80 a to surface 86. Channel 32 measures approximately 0.995inches for the opening from surface 50 to the lower surface that definesgroove 49. As should be understood from the drawings and foregoingdescription, the puck 26 cannot be pulled out of channel 32 horizontallyand any weight placed on the associated display component, such as adisplay hook 23, tends to try and pivot the puck 26 in a clockwisedirection due to the cantilever arrangement of the hooks 23 and shelfarms 22 and the downward force that is applied at a distance outwardlyfrom the rail 21. When it is desired to remove a display accessory, theparticular item is pivoted upwardly in a counter clockwise direction,still based on FIG. 6 as the reference, and as this counter clockwisemovement is being effected, the display accessory is pulled outwardlyaway from rail 21. With sufficient clearance between a puck 26 and theshaped channel 32, an inserted puck 26 can be manually moved laterallyin either direction along the length of channel 32. This permitsselectively positioning and spacing the hook 23, for example, afterinsertion into rail 21. As for the mentioned side impact forces thatmight twist the display accessory and perhaps cause the puck to pop outof its inserted position, the two ribs 80 and 90 and their interfit intotroughs 48 and groove 49, respectively, provide bracing and stiffeningto resist that type of side loading and twisting motion.

With reference now to FIGS. 19-22, shown is a modified puck of theinvention. This puck has features that are generally the same as thoseof puck 26 described hereinabove, except modified as discussed below.For the sake of brevity, the above discussions regarding the features ofpuck 26 will not be repeated here. Modified pucks of the inventioninclude a rib that is displaceable, e.g. movable or deformable, whichcan benefit its interaction with the groove 49 of rail 21 (see FIG. 6)or another similar receiving support structure. By having a displaceablerib, a smoother interaction with rail 21 is enabled, and/or themanufacturing tolerances for the rail or puck or both can be relaxed.

In the depicted embodiment of a modified puck, the puck includes a mainbody portion 100 and a separate rib component 105. Main body 100 definesa rearward-facing slot 101 into which rib component 105 is received, forexample with a friction and/or snap fit. Slot 101 includes an upper wall102, a rear wall 103, and a partial bottom wall 104. Bottom wall 104 isshorter than upper wall 102, and thus leaves slot 101 having openingsboth to the back and to the bottom of the puck main body 100. Bottomwall 104 also provides a vertically-extending shoulder 104A facing theback of the puck main body 100. Separate rib component 105 has an upperwall 106, a lower wall 107, and a connecting portion 108 connectingupper wall 106 and lower wall 107 and holding them in spaced relation toone another. Connecting portion 108 is desirably capable of resilientflexure so as to allow walls 106 and 107 to travel closer to one anotherwhen the clip component 105 is compressed. Bottom wall 107 has athickened region 109 providing an inward shoulder 110 which is receivedagainst shoulder 104A of puck main body 100 when rib component 105 isfully received within slot 101. A downwardly depending rib 111 extendsfrom thickened region 109.

In use together, rib component 105 is received within slot 101 of puckmain body 100 under slight compression to stabilize the fit. This slightcompression nonetheless leaves walls 106 and 107 spaced from one anothersuch that further flexure of the rib component 105 will position walls106 and 107 closer to one another, and thus reposition rib 111. Withpuck body 100 and rib component 105 combined in this fashion, themodified puck can be used in the same fashion as puck 26 discussedhereinabove. As such a modified puck is received into slot 32 of rail21, contact of rib 111 with rail 21 displaces rib 111 upwardly towardpuck main body 100 thus allowing clearance of the puck overall forreceipt within slot 32. Rib 111 then comes to reside within groove 49 ofrail 21. In certain embodiments, rib 111 can reside in groove 49 undercompression such that rib 111 will be forcibly pressed against groove49. In other embodiments, the receipt of rib 111 into groove 49 can besubstantially neutral as regards compression.

It will be understood that other modified pucks are contemplated asbeing within the invention, which provide a rib for receipt withingroove 49 which deforms, deflects or otherwise moves in order to provideclearance during insertion of the puck, to provide a compressed receiptof the rib within groove 49, and/or to otherwise ease insertion orremoval of the puck from the rail 21. In certain embodiments, the puckmain body 100 and rib component 105 are made out of the same material.In other embodiments, they are made out of differing materials. Forexample, in certain embodiments the puck main body 100 can be made outof metal, such as aluminum, and the rib component 105 or anothersecondary rib component can be made out of plastic. Plastics can providea deformable rib portion to provide smoother operation with a rail orreceiver even in the absence of flexure such as that provided by ribcomponent 105. Thus, solid rib components made from a plastic that isdeformable can be connected to puck main bodies, e.g. received withinslots of puck main bodies, where the main bodies are made from a lessdeformable material such as a metal. Alternatively, the modified puckcan be provided as an integral structure with a depending rib elementthat deforms or flexes during passage into the rail 21 or a similarreceiver, and comes to rest within groove 49. These and otherembodiments in which the rib of the puck is modified to enhance theoperation of the puck with the rail are contemplated as being within thepresent invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 23-26, shown is a receiver 120 that can beused in place of or in addition to rails (e.g. rail 21) as disclosedherein, to receive pucks which in turn support other useful structures.Receiver 120 includes a receiver body 121 defining a front opening 122.Receiver body 121 defines an internal chamber 130. Provided on thebottom surface of chamber 130 is a groove 123 at or near its forwardedge. Body 121 also defines a rearward opening 124 for receiving upperportions of pucks as disclosed herein, including theirupwardly-extending ribs (see e.g. rib 90 in FIG. 15 and correspondingstructure in FIG. 19). Generally speaking, the operations of receivers120 with inserted pucks will correspond to those of rail 21 describedpreviously. With the puck received within receiver 120, theupwardly-extending rib of the puck (e.g. 90, FIG. 15) will have an innerface resting against upper boundary wall 125 of opening 124. Wall 125 isprovided by an upper wall 126 of the receiver 120. Opening 124 alsoincludes a rear boundary wall 127 provided by rear wall 128 of receiver120. Receiver 120 also includes a bottom wall 129 as well as side walls133 and 134, which participate in defining chamber 130. Receiver 120further includes an opening 131 defined in rear wall 128 for receiving aconnector or other mounting structure by which receiver 120 can bemounted to another structure such as a wall. Preferably, opening 131includes a beveled portion 132, e.g. for receiving the head of aconnector such as a screw. The groove 123 is desirably a beveledstructure including a first beveled face 135 and a second beveled face136 intersecting one another at the bottom of the groove 123. It will beunderstood, however, that other configurations for the groove 123,including for example rounded or squared configurations, can be usedwithin aspects of the invention.

Generally in use, one or a plurality of receiver units 120 can bemounted to a wall or other structure, and can then be used to supportother articles as disclosed herein. It is also possible to use acombination of receiver units 120 and rails 21 in an overall system,wherein separate articles can be separately supported by receivers 120and rails 21, or articles can be supported in part by each of one ormore receivers 120 and one or more rails 21. These and othercombinations will be readily apparent to the those working in the field.

The preferred materials for each component part of display fixture 20include aluminum or another metal for rail 21, metal for shelf arms 22,metal with a polished chrome finish for hooks 23, wood veneer fordisplay shelf 24, steel with a polished chrome finish for end plate 25,metal (e.g. aluminum or steel) and/or plastic for puck 26 and modifiedpuck 100/105, and metal (e.g. aluminum or steel) and/or plastic forreceiver 120. It will be understood that other suitable materials mayalso be used.

While certain embodiments using the inventive support systems have beenshown, many other utilitarian structures can be partially or fullysupported by rail/receiver and puck combinations as described herein.These include, for example, useful structures or articles that commonlyoccur in kitchens, closets, bathrooms, utility rooms, or bedrooms,including for instance racks, cabinets, shelves, hangers, hangbars,drawers, organizers, hooks, desks, and the like. In certain embodiments,these utilitarian structures are connected to one or a plurality ofpucks, e.g. directly or through support rods, and the puck(s) aresupported by a rail and/or receiver as disclosed herein, e.g. mounted toa wall or other vertical body. In some cases, the utilitarian structurewill include one or multiple downwardly-depending elements (e.g.bumpers) that contact the wall or other vertical body at a point belowthe rail or receiver. These and other variations are contemplated asbeing within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Additional systems that can incorporate rails, pucks and potentiallyother components disclosed herein are disclosed in the provisional U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 60/898,539 of Kirk J. Botkin entitledSHELVING SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR filed on Jan. 31, 2007, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes,including for disclosures of other components and systems to besupported by rail/puck components as disclosed herein.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

1. A display system for the presentation of articles, said displaysystem comprising: an elongated support rail defining a shaped channel,said elongated support rail being constructed and arranged for secureconnection to a support structure; at least one insert componentdefining an interior opening, said at least one insert component havinga shaped exterior corresponding to a portion of said shaped channel; atleast one shelf support member including a securement portionconstructed and arranged for receipt by the interior opening of acorresponding insert component; and a shelf attached to said at leastone support shelf member.
 2. The display system of claim 1 wherein saidshaped channel includes a trough portion.
 3. The display system of claim2 wherein said at least one insert component includes a rib portion thatis constructed and arranged for interfit into said trough.
 4. Thedisplay system of claim 3 wherein said shaped channel further includes agroove.
 5. The display system of claim 4 wherein said at least oneinsert component further includes a second rib that is constructed andarranged for interfit into said groove.
 6. The display system of claim 1wherein at least one endplate is attached to an end of said elongatedsupport rail, said endplate being constructed and arranged to close offsaid shaped channel.
 7. A support system, comprising: an elongatedsupport rail defining a shaped channel, said elongated support railbeing constructed and arranged for secure connection to a supportstructure; at least one insert component defining an interior opening,said at least one insert component having a shaped exteriorcorresponding to a portion of said shaped channel; and at least oneelement to be supported including a securement portion constructed andarranged for receipt by the interior opening of a corresponding insertcomponent.
 8. The display system of claim 7 wherein said shaped channelincludes a trough portion.
 9. The display system of claim 8 wherein saidat least one insert component includes a rib portion that is constructedand arranged for interfit into said trough.
 10. The display system ofclaim 9 wherein said shaped channel further includes a groove.
 11. Thedisplay system of claim 10 wherein said at least one insert componentfurther includes a second rib that is constructed and arranged forinterfit into said groove.
 12. The display system of claim 7 wherein atleast one endplate is attached to an end of said elongated support rail,said endplate being constructed and arranged to close off said shapedchannel.
 13. A system for the presentation or storage of articles, saidsystem comprising: an elongated support rail defining a shaped channel,said elongated support rail being constructed and arranged for secureconnection to a support structure; a plurality of insert components,each one defining an interior opening, each insert component of saidplurality having a shaped exterior corresponding to a portion of saidshaped channel; at least one shelf support member including a securementportion constructed and arranged for receipt by the interior opening ofa corresponding insert component; a shelf attached to said at least onesupport shelf member; and at least one hook member including asecurement portion constructed and arranged for receipt by the interioropening of a corresponding insert component.
 14. The display system ofclaim 13 wherein said shaped channel includes a trough portion.
 15. Thedisplay system of claim 14 wherein each insert component of saidplurality includes a rib portion that is constructed and arranged forinterfit into said trough.
 16. The display system of claim 15 whereinsaid shaped channel further includes a groove.
 17. The display system ofclaim 16 wherein each insert component of said plurality furtherincludes a second rib that is constructed and arranged for interfit intosaid groove.
 18. The display system of claim 13 wherein at least oneendplate is attached to an end of said elongated support rail, saidendplate being constructed and arranged to close off said shapedchannel.
 19. An insert component constructed and arranged for connectionto an element to be supported and subsequent insertion into a shapedchannel of a support structure, said insert component comprising: a mainbody defining an interior opening and having a shaped exteriorcorresponding to a portion of said shaped channel, said main body havinga rib portion constructed and arranged to interfit into a recessed partof said shaped channel.
 20. The insert component of claim 19 whereinsaid main body further includes second rib portion constructed andarranged to interfit into a second recessed part of said shaped channel.21. The insert component of claim 19, wherein said rib portion isdisplaceable.
 22. The insert component of claim 21, wherein saiddisplaceable rib portion is deformable or flexible.
 23. The insertcomponent of claim 21, wherein said displaceable rib portion is adownwardly depending rib portion.
 24. A support system, comprising: aninsert component according to claim 19; and a support structure defininga shaped channel having a recessed portion for receiving said ribportion.
 25. The support system of claim 24, wherein said supportstructure is a rail of sufficient length to receive a plurality of saidinsert components.
 26. The support system of claim 24, wherein saidsupport structure is a receiver sized to receive a single one of saidinsert components.